Real, whole food can be defined as minimally processed and being as close to their natural state as possible. This would include animal proteins, naturally sourced fats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes.
One of the biggest benefits of eating real food is that it provides your body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally. Humanely raised animal proteins contain all the essential amino acids that help build and repair tissues in the body. Fruits and vegetables are packed with many of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to maintain optimal health. Along with other whole foods like whole grains and legumes, they provide fiber, which helps regulate digestion and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. In addition to providing essential nutrients, eating real food can also help you feel your best and maintain a healthy weight.
On the other hand, processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state, typically with the addition of preservatives, artificial flavors, and other chemicals.
Processed foods are typically low in nutrients, minerals and fiber whilst being high in calories, added sugars, unhealthy fats, sodium, and additives and preservatives. These factors can contribute to a number of negative health outcomes, including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
One of the most problematic issues with processed foods is that they often contain added sugars. Consuming high amounts of sugar on a regular basis has been linked to a variety of health problems, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, many processed foods are high in unhealthy, man-made fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Many processed foods also contain an imbalanced amount of sodium. Whilst sodium is necessary for proper bodily function, consuming too much, especially when combined with too many sugars and processed fats, can lead to multiple health issues including high blood pressure, which in turn can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Most importantly, processed foods lack essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and a higher risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.
In addition to these negative health effects, processed foods can also be addictive. Many processed foods are designed to be highly palatable, which can further contribute to overeating and contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
Overall, it is clear that a diet high in processed foods is not ideal for long-term health and wellbeing. By replacing processed foods with real, whole foods, you can provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function properly, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and maintain a healthy weight.
Benefits Of Real Food
Removing most processed foods from your diet and focusing on eating more real, whole foods has even more advantages for your health and wellbeing.
Some of these benefits include:
- Improved digestion: Real, whole foods are often easier for the body to digest than processed foods, which can contain hard-to-digest ingredients and additives. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and well-raised animal proteins can help improve digestion and reduce digestive discomfort.
- Increased energy: Real food provides the body with the nutrients it needs to produce energy. Eating a diet high in processed foods, especially those with added sugars and refined grains, can lead to energy crashes and fatigue. By focusing on real, whole foods, you can maintain steady energy levels throughout the day.
- Better mental health: There is growing evidence to suggest that diet can have a significant impact on mental health. Eating a diet high in real, whole foods has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
- Stronger immune system: Real, whole foods are often rich in vitamins and minerals that support immune function. Eating a diet high in processed foods, which are low in nutrients and contain chemical additives, can weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to illness and infection.
- Improved sleep: The nutrients in real, whole foods can also help improve sleep quality. Foods high in magnesium, for example, can help promote relaxation and improve sleep. By eating a diet high in real, whole foods, you may be able to improve the quality and duration of your sleep. Read more on the link between food and sleep here
Overall, the benefits of eating real food are numerous and far-reaching. By making the switch from processed foods to real, whole foods, you can improve your physical health, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
Pete’s Real Food
Pete's Real Food meals can be an excellent tool for individuals who are looking to transition to a real food eating plan. It doesn’t matter which philosophy your follow – you can be Paleo, Vegan or somewhere in between – creating a plan based on real food is where we believe you will get the most benefit from your dietary choices.
Beyond delicious, chef prepared, gourmet meals to suit every taste, delivered right to your door, we provide:
Convenience
One of the biggest barriers to eating real, whole foods is often the time and effort required to prepare meals from scratch. Pete's Real Food meals are pre-made and ready when you are, making it easy to incorporate real foods into your diet even if you're short on time.
Variety
Eating a variety of real, whole foods is important for ensuring that you're getting all the nutrients your body needs. Pete's Real Food meals offer a range of different options, from vegetarian to meat-based, from exotic to meals your kids or picky eaters will eat, from breakfast to dinner, helping you add more choice and variety to your diet. No apron required!
Choose from weekly meals for your dietary choices here >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Quality Ingredients & Sustainable Practices
All of Pete's meals are made with high-quality, real food ingredients that are minimally processed and free from artificial additives. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you're getting real, whole foods that are good for your body. We take great effort on sourcing our products carefully and packing and shipping your meals sustainably so you can have peace of mind that you are looking after both your body and the planet. Learn more about our sustainability practices here
Nutrition
Each Pete's meal is designed to be nutritionally balanced, with a focus on providing essential nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This can help ensure that you're getting the nutrients you need to support optimal health and wellbeing.
Guidance
For individuals who are new to eating real, whole foods, it can be helpful to have some guidance and support. Pete's Real Food meals come with information about the ingredients and nutritional value of each meal, as well as tips for incorporating real foods into your diet.
Pete's Real Food meals are an excellent tool for supporting your real-food diet. They offer convenience, variety, quality ingredients, balanced nutrition, and guidance to help you make the switch to a healthier way of eating. By incorporating Pete's meals into your diet, you can easily add real, whole foods to your daily routine without sacrificing taste or convenience.
